Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

NBIF

Established in 2003, NBIF continues to build on New Brunswick's history as a leading innovation hub

At the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, we’re building on a remarkable history of ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit in New Brunswick to propel the development of the next generation of global technology firms. Heading into our third decade of catapulting innovative ideas into thriving enterprises, our organization – better known by...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

RESPEK NATURE

RESPEK NATURE-PLANTS SPEKBOOM

PLANTS SPEKBOOM, A CO2 CAPTURING INDIGENOUS SUCCULENT, ON TRACTS OF DENUDED LAND NEAR GRAAFF-REINET AND IN THE LARGER KAROO REGION OF SOUTH AFRICA. LAUNCHED IN AUGUST OF 2020, RESPEK IS A BLENDED DIGITAL AND BOTANICAL CARBON OFFSET PROGRAMME.

The hardy spekboom is considered a pioneer species within the Karoo thicket biome. This means that the plant itself can assist in the regeneration of the indigenous brush, with many other species benefitting from its shade and the nutrients it brings into the soil. As a succulent, spekboom is the...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

TOAST

IS ADDRESSING THE GENDER PAY GAP BY INCREASING THE REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN THE TECH SECTOR

We know that women approach job applications differently than men do. They are far less likely to apply for positions that are more senior than the one they’re in currently, whereas men are less concerned by that. Still, recruiters and hiring managers are comfortable accepting “women aren’t applying” as a...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

Consulgal

CONSULGAL

Services and ValuesEstablished in 1983, Consulgal provides an extensive range of services such as Engineering Studies, Design and Technical Consultancy, Project Management and Works Supervision, Operation and Maintenance. Being one of the largest and most prestigious Portuguese engineering consultancy companies, has developed its skills offering a wide range of specialized...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

TARTU CENTRE FOR CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

A CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Nurturing Creative Entrepreneurship The Tartu Centre for Creative Industries (TCCI) distinguishes itself in Europe through its dedicated regional focus on South Estonia’s creative sector, enabling tailored support. TCCI actively fosters cross-sectoral collaboration through high-profile events like sTARTUp Day’s Creative Industries Pitching Competition and the Estonian Fashion Festival, connecting creatives with...

INNOVATION Quebec

LA GUILDE DU JEU VIDÉO DU QUÉBEC

A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE INDUSTRY

La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec, born from the merger between the Alliance numérique and La Guilde des développeurs de jeux indépendants du Québec, is a Cooperative which brings together video game studios, academic institutions and entrepreneurs from related fields established in Quebec. With more than 300 members, the...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

Union Kitchen

HOW A FOOD BUSINESS ACCELERATOR IN WASHINGTON,DC IS PAVING THE WAY FOR THE NEXT BIG CPG BRANDS

Cullen Gilchrist founded Union Kitchen in 2012 to partner with food businesses of all sizes to grow and scale their success. Cullen got his start in the food industry with his sister and friends when they opened the Blind Dog Cafe. Faced with the challenge of increased demand and not...

INNOVATION Quebec

ACCOMPAGNE LES ORGANISATIONS IMPLIQUÉES DANS LE DOMAINE DE LA SANTÉ, EN ADAPTATION, EN RÉADAPTATION

ACCOMPAGNE LES ORGANISATIONS IMPLIQUÉES DANS LE DOMAINE DE LA SANTÉ, EN ADAPTATION, EN RÉADAPTATION ET EN MOBILITÉ PAR LE DÉVELOPPEMENT, LA PERSONNALISATION, L’OPTIMISATION ET LA VALIDATION D’APPAREILLAGES, D’ÉQUIPEMENTS ET DE TECHNOLOGIES POUR LES POPULATIONS VULNÉRABLES ET SPORTIVES. TOPMED élabore et réalise des projets de recherche appliquée axés sur l’innovation et...

INNOVATION Quebec

IVADO

MOTEUR D’UNE IA ROBUSTE, RAISONNANTE ET RESPONSABLE

IVADO est un consortium de recherche et de transfert de connaissances en IA basé à Montréal. Il mobilise une expertise universitaire unique au monde afin de combler le fossé entre l’IA actuelle et l’intelligence humaine et ainsi développer une IA capable de se déployer dans des environnements changeants et complexes....

INNOVATE® Tampa Bay Vol.3

RELIEVEIT

RELIEVEIT-The First Plant-Derived Anti-Inflammatory Drug Discovery Credited To A Black-Owned Company In U.S. History

The First Plant-Derived Anti-Inflammatory Drug Discovery Credited To A Black-Owned Company In U.S. History

What began hundreds of years ago as a pain remedy on the island of diseases reached a staggering 43.5 million. Trinidad has evolved into the United States’ first plant-derived, anti-inflammatory drug discovery credited to a Black-owned company.   RelieveIt is a pain relief medicine and the brainchild of W. Caleb...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

Optical Academy

Has been pioneering the change in the delivery of eye care

Optical Academy- Has been pioneering the change in the delivery of eye care by making eye care the most convenient, affordable, and accessible it has ever been. The company came to life 14 years ago after CEO, Abby Ayoub, crossed paths with a 15-year-old girl who was desperate for an...

INNOVATE® Nashville

LODESTONE ADVISORY GROUP

Is reimagining venture capital and economic development from the ground up

When we founded Lodestone Advisory Group in 2013, business leaders were tired of a management consulting industry that was a stiff, black box offering one-size-fits-all “solutions,” with little accountability on end results. Lodestone, named after the naturally occurring magnetic powder that gave early merchants and tradesmen the ability to navigate...

Global Innovation Spotlight

PINKTUM

PINKTUM-Personnel Development In Spain Goes Digital

Personnel Development In Spain Goes Digital

A new form of human resources development is needed to successfully master global challenges. As one of the leading providers of E-learning and web-based trainings for effective and sustainable personnel development in companies, PINKTUM breaks new ground in Madrid’s start-up scene. PINKTUM offers scientifically based personnel development in the digital...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

ALBERTA IoT

Supporting an ever-growing ecosystem at Alberta IoT

Alberta IoT is a non-profit member-based association supporting organizations with a vested interest in internet of things (IoT) and emerging technologies. Members, ranging in size from solo entrepreneurs to large enterprise, collaborate to provide a common voice to advance the knowledge, adoption, and growth of emerging tech in Alberta and...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

THINK BIG LEADERS

THINK BIG, BUILD FOR SCALE: UNLOCKING INNOVATION AND AI’S POTENTIAL

Sweden and Stockholm must leverage innovation and AI to remain relevant and competitive, and to achieve the values that we believe in. But it’s hard to achieve the scale, speed, and direction that we aim for in a sustainable way. Think Big Leaders helps organizations formulate a strategic direction and...

INNOVATION Quebec

Le CMQ

LE CMQ-Le Centre de métallurgie du Québec est un centre collégial de transfert technologique (CCTT) rattaché au Cégep de Trois-Rivières. Créé en 1985

Le Centre de métallurgie du Québec est un centre collégial de transfert technologique (CCTT) rattaché au Cégep de Trois-Rivières. Créé en 1985, le CMQ vise à « Soutenir la compétitivité de l’industrie métallurgique par la recherche et le développement technologique dans une approche collaborative de partenaires privés et publics tout en supportant l’enseignement technique au collégial et le transfert de connaissances en entreprise

L’équipe composée de 60 personnes, incluant 10 à 15 étudiants collégiaux et universitaires par année, met l’accent sur la recherche appliquée et le transfert technologique pour soutenir l’effort de croissance et de positionnement stratégique des entreprises ayant des activités reliées à la transformation métallique. En plus d’assurer des formations de...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

THE ECOLOGICAL ENTREPRENEUR

THE ECOLOGICAL ENTREPRENEUR- THE PATHWAY TO YOUR CLIMATE NEUTRAL BUSINESS

THE PATHWAY TO YOUR CLIMATE NEUTRAL BUSINESS

The “Why” of sustainability is clear for most, the “how” and “what”, unfortunately much less. For many, sustainability remains an utterly vague, complex, and confusing concept. And even without confusion, questions concerning usefulness of actions and impact arise.   The Ecological Entrepreneur translates complexity to concrete guidelines, policies, and activities...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

CONNECTPLUG

RETAIL AUTOMATION CAN BE MORE AFFORDABLE AND EFFECTIVE FOR EVERYONE

2014 doesn’t seem like a long time ago, but the technology was very different back then. AI was just science fiction, the internet was much slower — and retail software was expensive and unnecessarily complex. This scenario led to ConnectPlug’s creation by computer engineer Rafael Hasson. Hasson, who has worked...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

Penn West Equity and Innovation District

CHANGEMAKERS WELCOME

CHANGEMAKERS WELCOME The Penn West Equity and Innovation District (Penn West) is transforming the landscape of innovation and equity in the world’s capital. This unique collaboration between the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID), the District of Columbia, and The George Washington University (GW) is building an inclusive, collaborative innovation...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

QUILES LAW

QUILES LAW-POWERLEVELING ESPORTS BUSINESSES AND TALENT SINCE 2015

POWERLEVELING ESPORTS BUSINESSES AND TALENT SINCE 2015, WE ARE A BUSINESS-FORWARD LAW FIRM FOR THE GLOBAL ESPORTS AND GAMING INDUSTRIES

Quiles Law is one of the world’s first esports and gaming focused law firms. Based in New York City and founded by Roger Quiles in 2014, Roger merged his interest in sports and video games to focus the firm on the then nascent esports industry in 2015. Our firm represents...

INNOVATION Quebec

CRVI (CENTRE DE ROBOTIQUE ET DE VISION INDUSTRIELLES)

IS A KEY PLAYER IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ROBOTICS, COMPUTER VISION, AND AI TECHNOLOGY IN QUEBEC

The first six such centres were established in 1983 following a presentation at the Quebec Economic Summit. The goal was to help kickstart the Quebec economy by turning Cégeps across the province into drivers of regional growth and technological development. Three more centres were inaugurated the following year, including CSR...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Harbor + Union

The Growth Hub Powering Nashville’s Next Generation of Business

In the historic Factory at Franklin, just outside of Nashville, a new kind of business environment is quietly transforming the way local founders, executives, and creatives work. Harbor+ Union is more than a co-working space. It’s a purpose-built ecosystem designed to fuel growth, connection, and innovation among the region’s most...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

UKNIGHTED XP

UKNIGHTED XP- We Play For The World

We Play For The World

A 501(c)3 nonprofit charity dedicated to communities, leaders, and organizations by offering innovative consultant services. In 2018, UKnightedXP, Inc. (UKXP) was like all ventures in the beginning – an idea and a dream. Devastated by hurricane Michael, the Panhandle of Florida was reeling from one of the most devastating category...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

UMKC Innovation Center

THE UMKC INNOVATION CENTER UNLOCKS THE POTENTIAL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP BY HELPING PEOPLE TURN THEIR IDEAS AND INNOVATIONS INTO VENTURES THAT SHAPE AN ECONOMY OF HOPE.

Founded with the vision of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship,the UMKC Innovation Center was established in 2003 to transform Kansas City into a thriving hub of entrepreneurial activity. The center’s purpose is to nurture and support entrepreneurs, from fledgling startups to established businesses, by providing vital resources, coaching, and connections. By...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

NBIF

Established in 2003, NBIF continues to build on New Brunswick's history as a leading innovation hub

At the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, we’re building on a remarkable history of ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit in New Brunswick to propel the development of the next generation of global technology firms. Heading into our third decade of catapulting innovative ideas into thriving enterprises, our organization – better known by...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

RESPEK NATURE

RESPEK NATURE-PLANTS SPEKBOOM

PLANTS SPEKBOOM, A CO2 CAPTURING INDIGENOUS SUCCULENT, ON TRACTS OF DENUDED LAND NEAR GRAAFF-REINET AND IN THE LARGER KAROO REGION OF SOUTH AFRICA. LAUNCHED IN AUGUST OF 2020, RESPEK IS A BLENDED DIGITAL AND BOTANICAL CARBON OFFSET PROGRAMME.

The hardy spekboom is considered a pioneer species within the Karoo thicket biome. This means that the plant itself can assist in the regeneration of the indigenous brush, with many other species benefitting from its shade and the nutrients it brings into the soil. As a succulent, spekboom is the...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

TOAST

IS ADDRESSING THE GENDER PAY GAP BY INCREASING THE REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN THE TECH SECTOR

We know that women approach job applications differently than men do. They are far less likely to apply for positions that are more senior than the one they’re in currently, whereas men are less concerned by that. Still, recruiters and hiring managers are comfortable accepting “women aren’t applying” as a...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

Consulgal

CONSULGAL

Services and ValuesEstablished in 1983, Consulgal provides an extensive range of services such as Engineering Studies, Design and Technical Consultancy, Project Management and Works Supervision, Operation and Maintenance. Being one of the largest and most prestigious Portuguese engineering consultancy companies, has developed its skills offering a wide range of specialized...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

TARTU CENTRE FOR CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

A CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Nurturing Creative Entrepreneurship The Tartu Centre for Creative Industries (TCCI) distinguishes itself in Europe through its dedicated regional focus on South Estonia’s creative sector, enabling tailored support. TCCI actively fosters cross-sectoral collaboration through high-profile events like sTARTUp Day’s Creative Industries Pitching Competition and the Estonian Fashion Festival, connecting creatives with...

INNOVATION Quebec

LA GUILDE DU JEU VIDÉO DU QUÉBEC

A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE INDUSTRY

La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec, born from the merger between the Alliance numérique and La Guilde des développeurs de jeux indépendants du Québec, is a Cooperative which brings together video game studios, academic institutions and entrepreneurs from related fields established in Quebec. With more than 300 members, the...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

Union Kitchen

HOW A FOOD BUSINESS ACCELERATOR IN WASHINGTON,DC IS PAVING THE WAY FOR THE NEXT BIG CPG BRANDS

Cullen Gilchrist founded Union Kitchen in 2012 to partner with food businesses of all sizes to grow and scale their success. Cullen got his start in the food industry with his sister and friends when they opened the Blind Dog Cafe. Faced with the challenge of increased demand and not...

INNOVATION Quebec

ACCOMPAGNE LES ORGANISATIONS IMPLIQUÉES DANS LE DOMAINE DE LA SANTÉ, EN ADAPTATION, EN RÉADAPTATION

ACCOMPAGNE LES ORGANISATIONS IMPLIQUÉES DANS LE DOMAINE DE LA SANTÉ, EN ADAPTATION, EN RÉADAPTATION ET EN MOBILITÉ PAR LE DÉVELOPPEMENT, LA PERSONNALISATION, L’OPTIMISATION ET LA VALIDATION D’APPAREILLAGES, D’ÉQUIPEMENTS ET DE TECHNOLOGIES POUR LES POPULATIONS VULNÉRABLES ET SPORTIVES. TOPMED élabore et réalise des projets de recherche appliquée axés sur l’innovation et...

INNOVATION Quebec

IVADO

MOTEUR D’UNE IA ROBUSTE, RAISONNANTE ET RESPONSABLE

IVADO est un consortium de recherche et de transfert de connaissances en IA basé à Montréal. Il mobilise une expertise universitaire unique au monde afin de combler le fossé entre l’IA actuelle et l’intelligence humaine et ainsi développer une IA capable de se déployer dans des environnements changeants et complexes....

INNOVATE® Tampa Bay Vol.3

RELIEVEIT

RELIEVEIT-The First Plant-Derived Anti-Inflammatory Drug Discovery Credited To A Black-Owned Company In U.S. History

The First Plant-Derived Anti-Inflammatory Drug Discovery Credited To A Black-Owned Company In U.S. History

What began hundreds of years ago as a pain remedy on the island of diseases reached a staggering 43.5 million. Trinidad has evolved into the United States’ first plant-derived, anti-inflammatory drug discovery credited to a Black-owned company.   RelieveIt is a pain relief medicine and the brainchild of W. Caleb...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

Optical Academy

Has been pioneering the change in the delivery of eye care

Optical Academy- Has been pioneering the change in the delivery of eye care by making eye care the most convenient, affordable, and accessible it has ever been. The company came to life 14 years ago after CEO, Abby Ayoub, crossed paths with a 15-year-old girl who was desperate for an...

INNOVATE® Nashville

LODESTONE ADVISORY GROUP

Is reimagining venture capital and economic development from the ground up

When we founded Lodestone Advisory Group in 2013, business leaders were tired of a management consulting industry that was a stiff, black box offering one-size-fits-all “solutions,” with little accountability on end results. Lodestone, named after the naturally occurring magnetic powder that gave early merchants and tradesmen the ability to navigate...

Global Innovation Spotlight

PINKTUM

PINKTUM-Personnel Development In Spain Goes Digital

Personnel Development In Spain Goes Digital

A new form of human resources development is needed to successfully master global challenges. As one of the leading providers of E-learning and web-based trainings for effective and sustainable personnel development in companies, PINKTUM breaks new ground in Madrid’s start-up scene. PINKTUM offers scientifically based personnel development in the digital...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

ALBERTA IoT

Supporting an ever-growing ecosystem at Alberta IoT

Alberta IoT is a non-profit member-based association supporting organizations with a vested interest in internet of things (IoT) and emerging technologies. Members, ranging in size from solo entrepreneurs to large enterprise, collaborate to provide a common voice to advance the knowledge, adoption, and growth of emerging tech in Alberta and...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

THINK BIG LEADERS

THINK BIG, BUILD FOR SCALE: UNLOCKING INNOVATION AND AI’S POTENTIAL

Sweden and Stockholm must leverage innovation and AI to remain relevant and competitive, and to achieve the values that we believe in. But it’s hard to achieve the scale, speed, and direction that we aim for in a sustainable way. Think Big Leaders helps organizations formulate a strategic direction and...

INNOVATION Quebec

Le CMQ

LE CMQ-Le Centre de métallurgie du Québec est un centre collégial de transfert technologique (CCTT) rattaché au Cégep de Trois-Rivières. Créé en 1985

Le Centre de métallurgie du Québec est un centre collégial de transfert technologique (CCTT) rattaché au Cégep de Trois-Rivières. Créé en 1985, le CMQ vise à « Soutenir la compétitivité de l’industrie métallurgique par la recherche et le développement technologique dans une approche collaborative de partenaires privés et publics tout en supportant l’enseignement technique au collégial et le transfert de connaissances en entreprise

L’équipe composée de 60 personnes, incluant 10 à 15 étudiants collégiaux et universitaires par année, met l’accent sur la recherche appliquée et le transfert technologique pour soutenir l’effort de croissance et de positionnement stratégique des entreprises ayant des activités reliées à la transformation métallique. En plus d’assurer des formations de...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

THE ECOLOGICAL ENTREPRENEUR

THE ECOLOGICAL ENTREPRENEUR- THE PATHWAY TO YOUR CLIMATE NEUTRAL BUSINESS

THE PATHWAY TO YOUR CLIMATE NEUTRAL BUSINESS

The “Why” of sustainability is clear for most, the “how” and “what”, unfortunately much less. For many, sustainability remains an utterly vague, complex, and confusing concept. And even without confusion, questions concerning usefulness of actions and impact arise.   The Ecological Entrepreneur translates complexity to concrete guidelines, policies, and activities...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

CONNECTPLUG

RETAIL AUTOMATION CAN BE MORE AFFORDABLE AND EFFECTIVE FOR EVERYONE

2014 doesn’t seem like a long time ago, but the technology was very different back then. AI was just science fiction, the internet was much slower — and retail software was expensive and unnecessarily complex. This scenario led to ConnectPlug’s creation by computer engineer Rafael Hasson. Hasson, who has worked...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

Penn West Equity and Innovation District

CHANGEMAKERS WELCOME

CHANGEMAKERS WELCOME The Penn West Equity and Innovation District (Penn West) is transforming the landscape of innovation and equity in the world’s capital. This unique collaboration between the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID), the District of Columbia, and The George Washington University (GW) is building an inclusive, collaborative innovation...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

QUILES LAW

QUILES LAW-POWERLEVELING ESPORTS BUSINESSES AND TALENT SINCE 2015

POWERLEVELING ESPORTS BUSINESSES AND TALENT SINCE 2015, WE ARE A BUSINESS-FORWARD LAW FIRM FOR THE GLOBAL ESPORTS AND GAMING INDUSTRIES

Quiles Law is one of the world’s first esports and gaming focused law firms. Based in New York City and founded by Roger Quiles in 2014, Roger merged his interest in sports and video games to focus the firm on the then nascent esports industry in 2015. Our firm represents...

INNOVATION Quebec

CRVI (CENTRE DE ROBOTIQUE ET DE VISION INDUSTRIELLES)

IS A KEY PLAYER IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ROBOTICS, COMPUTER VISION, AND AI TECHNOLOGY IN QUEBEC

The first six such centres were established in 1983 following a presentation at the Quebec Economic Summit. The goal was to help kickstart the Quebec economy by turning Cégeps across the province into drivers of regional growth and technological development. Three more centres were inaugurated the following year, including CSR...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Harbor + Union

The Growth Hub Powering Nashville’s Next Generation of Business

In the historic Factory at Franklin, just outside of Nashville, a new kind of business environment is quietly transforming the way local founders, executives, and creatives work. Harbor+ Union is more than a co-working space. It’s a purpose-built ecosystem designed to fuel growth, connection, and innovation among the region’s most...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

UKNIGHTED XP

UKNIGHTED XP- We Play For The World

We Play For The World

A 501(c)3 nonprofit charity dedicated to communities, leaders, and organizations by offering innovative consultant services. In 2018, UKnightedXP, Inc. (UKXP) was like all ventures in the beginning – an idea and a dream. Devastated by hurricane Michael, the Panhandle of Florida was reeling from one of the most devastating category...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

UMKC Innovation Center

THE UMKC INNOVATION CENTER UNLOCKS THE POTENTIAL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP BY HELPING PEOPLE TURN THEIR IDEAS AND INNOVATIONS INTO VENTURES THAT SHAPE AN ECONOMY OF HOPE.

Founded with the vision of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship,the UMKC Innovation Center was established in 2003 to transform Kansas City into a thriving hub of entrepreneurial activity. The center’s purpose is to nurture and support entrepreneurs, from fledgling startups to established businesses, by providing vital resources, coaching, and connections. By...

Ecosystems